Watch Street Paper: A Documentary About America's Top-Selling Homeless Newspaper

Street Paper is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary film that explores America's top-selling homeless newspaper. Released in 2012, the film sheds light on the lives, struggles, and achievements of homeless people who produce and sell newspapers in order to earn a living. The movie takes the audience on a journey through the streets of several American cities - San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle - where the homeless population is high. It introduces us to the vendors who sell newspapers and other items to passersby in order to put food on their tables.

The film investigates how the vendors were able to gain employment via Street Paper, and it takes a closer look at the publication's unique business model, which allows homeless individuals to earn an income and restore their sense of purpose.

Street Paper contrasts America's homeless problem with its dramatic rise in the production of paper and reflects on how the two are intertwined. The film presents facts and figures related to homelessness and the rise of the paper industry and suggests Street Paper may be a remedy to this noticeable problem.

Throughout the film, the audience gets to see the process behind the creation of each issue of Street Paper. The documentary gives insights into the often-overlooked work of the volunteers and writers who produce and write for the publication.

Moreover, Street Paper shows that the vendors are much more than homeless individuals desperately trying to make ends meet. They are members of society inseparable from the fabric of our culture.

The documentary is a testament to the vendors' courage and determination, and it's not long before the audience is rooting for them to succeed. Every aspect of their story is explored, from their struggles with homelessness to the buyers descending upon them for newspapers.

The film delivers its message effectively throughout its runtime, but it benefits from a clear and concise script. Street Paper is as emotional as it is factual and, in doing so, it gives a voice to people who are otherwise ignored by society.

By the film's climax, the audience are so intertwined with the vendors' stories, victories, and struggles that a newfound sensitivity to homelessness is awakened within each viewer.

Street Paper is ultimately an uplifting experience that serves to inspire people to lend a hand to their homeless fellow citizens. A message that says: "these people can make it with the right assistance and every sale could be a difference that makes a difference". There is a sense of community and hope that surrounds each vendor, and it's blended perfectly into the narrative of the movie.

The movie ends with an emotive message that reminds us of the harsh reality that many people face every day. Every issue of Street Paper, every sale made by the vendors, and every donation received by the project can make a world of difference to the people who earn their livelihood from it.

Overall, Street Paper is a powerful and moving portrayal of the daily struggles of the homeless population in America. It encourages compassion and empathy for the people who have been left behind, while also demonstrating how something as simple as buying a newspaper could begin to make a difference. In the end, it's a film that stays with the viewer long after it has ended, leaving behind a deep respect for the vendors who have fought against the odds to create a better life for themselves.

Street Paper: A Documentary About America's Top-Selling Homeless Newspaper is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.